The Ambition Hangover: When High Achievement Stops Feeling Good

High performers are great at starting things, new training blocks, new businesses, new projects, new goals. But the skill almost no one talks about is the one that matters most: knowing when to stop. In this episode of Endurance Minded, Taylor Thomas explores the psychology and strategy of healthy endings, how to recognize when something has run its course, why letting go is often harder than holding on, and how stopping at the right time can unlock clarity, capacity, and long-term success. Whether it’s a habit, a role, a commitment, or a version of yourself, this episode will help you release what’s no longer aligned so you can step fully into what’s next. To apply to the Growth Circle, TEC’s Business Accelerator Program for health and fitness entrepreneurs, click the link. The Growth Circle The Business of Coaching Newsletter - The Business of Coaching | Taylor Thomas | Substack

There’s a moment in every athlete, entrepreneur, and leader’s journey where the version of you that got you this far stops being the version that can take you where you want to go. That uncomfortable, confusing, often painful space? That’s the Identity Gap, and learning to navigate it is one of the most important skills you can develop. In this episode of Endurance Minded, Taylor Thomas explores why your internal identity often lags behind your external growth, how to recognize the signs that you’re evolving, and the mindset tools needed to step into your next level with clarity and confidence. If you’re in a season of transition, reinvention, or growth, this episode will help you bridge the gap between who you’ve been… and who you’re becoming. To apply to the Growth Circle, TEC’s Business Accelerator Program for health and fitness entrepreneurs, click the link. https://app.thomasendurancecoaching.com/the-growth-circle The Business of Coaching Newsletter - https://taylor75.substack.com/  

You did everything right, set the goals, did the work, hit the target. But instead of pride or relief, you feel… flat. In this episode of Endurance Minded, Taylor Thomas unpacks the hidden emotional cost of high achievement: the ambition hangover. Drawing from psychology, performance science, and real-world experience, Taylor explores why hitting goals often leaves us unfulfilled, and how to reconnect ambition to meaning. If you’ve ever wondered why “success” doesn’t feel the way you thought it would, this episode will help you rediscover your drive, without burning out or numbing out. To apply to the Growth Circle, TEC’s Business Accelerator Program for health and fitness entrepreneurs, click the link. https://app.thomasendurancecoaching.com/the-growth-circle The Business of Coaching Newsletter - https://taylor75.substack.com/  

In this episode, coach Chad Dunn joins us to unpack what it really means to train your mind like you train your body. From identity and mindset to navigating the pain cave and staying present under pressure, Chad shares powerful tools and frameworks used by elite athletes, military operators, and high performers. Whether you’re chasing a finish line or showing up fully in everyday life, this conversation will challenge how you think about discomfort, self-talk, and what it means to choose your response. Reserve your copy of his forthcoming book: “Mind Over Virtually Everything” HERE. To apply to the Growth Circle, TEC’s Business Accelerator Program for health and fitness entrepreneurs, click the link. https://app.thomasendurancecoaching.com/the-growth-circle The Business of Coaching Newsletter - https://taylor75.substack.com/  

We all know recovery matters, but most of us treat it like an afterthought, a box to check, or something we’ll “get to later.” What if recovery was actually your most strategic advantage? In this episode of Endurance Minded, Taylor unpacks recovery in a new light: as a skill you can train, measure, and leverage. You’ll learn the four dimensions of recovery: physical, mental, emotional, and strategic, and walk away with clear practices to put into action right now. If you want to stop seeing recovery as downtime and start using it as your edge, this episode will change the way you work, train, and lead. To apply to the Growth Circle, TEC’s Business Accelerator Program for health and fitness entrepreneurs, click the link. https://app.thomasendurancecoaching.com/the-growth-circle The Business of Coaching Newsletter - https://taylor75.substack.com/  

Resilience helps us bounce back, but adaptability is what allows us to thrive when circumstances change. In this second episode of the Resilience & Adaptability series, Taylor Thomas unpacks why adaptability is the ultimate edge in today’s world of sport, business, and leadership. You’ll learn the science of adaptability, how to build it as a skill, and why the people who succeed long-term are those who can adjust, evolve, and pivot without losing momentum. To apply to the Growth Circle, TEC’s Business Accelerator Program for health and fitness entrepreneurs, click the link. https://app.thomasendurancecoaching.com/the-growth-circle The Business of Coaching Newsletter - https://taylor75.substack.com/

In part one of this two part series, Taylor Thomas explores the modern definition of resilience, and why it’s about flexibility and recovery as much as toughness. We’ve all heard that grit and toughness are the keys to success. But what if grit, by itself, isn’t enough? In this episode of Endurance Minded, drawing from psychology, sport, and business, Taylor breaks down how to build resilience without burning out, and why the strongest leaders and athletes are the ones who know how to bend without breaking. To apply to the Growth Circle, TEC’s Business Accelerator Program for health and fitness entrepreneurs, click the link. https://app.thomasendurancecoaching.com/the-growth-circle The Business of Coaching Newsletter - https://taylor75.substack.com/  

In a world obsessed with overnight success and viral moments, it’s easy to forget that the most impactful wins come from the long game. In this episode of Endurance Minded, Taylor Thomas explores why sustainable success, in sport, business, and life, will always outlast short-term sprints. Drawing from lessons in endurance training, entrepreneurship, and leadership, Taylor reveals the mental shifts and practical systems that keep you consistent when motivation fades. If you’ve ever felt pressure to get results now or doubted whether slow progress was worth it, this conversation will help you reframe your approach, avoid burnout, and build something that lasts. To apply to the Growth Circle, TEC’s Business Accelerator Program for health and fitness entrepreneurs, click the link. https://app.thomasendurancecoaching.com/the-growth-circle The Business of Coaching Newsletter - https://taylor75.substack.com/  

Why do we cling so tightly to identities that are holding us back? In this episode of Endurance Minded, Taylor Thomas unpacks the hidden cost of staying attached to roles, titles, and habits that no longer serve us. From athletes afraid to train differently, to business owners stuck in outdated ways of working, many of us struggle to evolve, not because we can’t, but because we’re afraid of who we’ll be on the other side. Taylor explores why growth requires letting go, how to identify when you’re outgrowing an identity, and what it really takes to redefine yourself. This episode will resonate with anyone navigating change and offers a powerful reframe for building long-term endurance, not just in performance, but in life. To apply to the Growth Circle, TEC’s Business Accelerator Program for health and fitness entrepreneurs, click the link. https://app.thomasendurancecoaching.com/the-growth-circle The Business of Coaching Newsletter - https://taylor75.substack.com/

Leila Entezam, LMFT, MBA, a Neuro-Emotional Performance Coach and author of The Heart of Peak Performance: Emotional Mastery for High-Performing Men, a #1 new release in mental health on Amazon. As a thought leader in neuro-emotional intelligence (NEI), Leila integrates neuroscience, psychology, and peak performance strategies to empower high achievers to master their emotions and elevate their performance. To apply to the Growth Circle, TEC’s Business Accelerator Program for health and fitness entrepreneurs, click the link. https://app.thomasendurancecoaching.com/the-growth-circle